IBD and Colorectal Cancer

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a significantly increased risk for colorectal cancer.

IBD and Colorectal Cancer

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a significantly increased risk for colorectal cancer.

This applies to patients who have a diagnosis such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. IBD is not colorectal cancer, but its symptoms are similar, and screening needs to be aggressive. Patients who develop colorectal cancer following an IBD diagnosis are said to have IBD-associated CRC (IBD-CRC).

This applies to patients who have a diagnosis such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. IBD is not colorectal cancer, but its symptoms are similar, and screening needs to be aggressive. Patients who develop colorectal cancer following an IBD diagnosis are said to have IBD-associated CRC (IBD-CRC).

Why the increased risk?

IBD patients suffer from diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the intestines. Medicine can help people control the disease. But long-term inflammation can raise the chance of getting pre-cancerous and cancerous growths.

IBD patients tend to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at younger ages.

Additional factors that increase IBD-CRC risk:

  • Duration: The longer you’ve had Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the higher your risk.
  • Extent and severity: The more pervasive IBD, the higher your risk.
  • Inflammatory pseudopolyps: Signs the colon has been injured or inflamed.
  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC): A liver condition impacting the bile ducts.
  • A family history of colorectal cancer.

Why the increased risk?

IBD patients suffer from diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the intestines. Medicine can help people control the disease. But long-term inflammation can raise the chance of getting pre-cancerous and cancerous growths.

IBD patients tend to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at younger ages.

Additional factors that increase IBD-CRC risk:

  • Duration: The longer you’ve had Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the higher your risk.
  • Extent and severity: The more pervasive IBD, the higher your risk.
  • Inflammatory pseudopolyps: Signs the colon has been injured or inflamed.
  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC): A liver condition impacting the bile ducts.
  • A family history of colorectal cancer.

What should you do if you have IBD?

There are several steps you can take to lower your colorectal cancer risk.

Manage your disease

Work with your doctor to manage your disease. Several medications have been FDA approved and are helping patients reduce side effects and go into remission. Surgery, such as proctocolectomy, can resolve problems from IBD and prevent colorectal cancer.

Research indicates that in the last 30 years, fewer people with inflammatory bowel disease are getting colorectal cancer because inflammation is better controlled.

If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, make sure to see your doctor regularly and tell them about any new or worrying symptoms.

Colorectal cancer screening

Patients with IBD need to be screened via colonoscopy.

Screening typically begins around 8-10 years after an initial diagnosis, but sometimes earlier depending on a patient’s risk factors. How often a patient needs to be screened can also vary based on the patient’s unique risk factors, but a 1-3 year frequency is typical.

A gastroenterologist managing your care should be able to review your case and help form an aggressive screening plan.

Pursue a healthy lifestyle

Eating well, exercising, managing stress: these are all important for patients. Not only can a healthy lifestyle help improve life, but it can also reduce colorectal cancer risks.

What should you do if you have IBD?

There are several steps you can take to lower your colorectal cancer risk.

Manage your disease

Work with your doctor to manage your disease. Several medications have been FDA approved and are helping patients reduce side effects and go into remission. Surgery, such as proctocolectomy, can resolve problems from IBD and prevent colorectal cancer.

Research indicates that in the last 30 years, fewer people with inflammatory bowel disease are getting colorectal cancer because inflammation is better controlled.

If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, make sure to see your doctor regularly and tell them about any new or worrying symptoms.

Colorectal cancer screening

Patients with IBD need to be screened via colonoscopy.

Screening typically begins around 8-10 years after an initial diagnosis, but sometimes earlier depending on a patient’s risk factors. How often a patient needs to be screened can also vary based on the patient’s unique risk factors, but a 1-3 year frequency is typical.

A gastroenterologist managing your care should be able to review your case and help form an aggressive screening plan.

Pursue a healthy lifestyle

Eating well, exercising, managing stress: these are all important for patients. Not only can a healthy lifestyle help improve life, but it can also reduce colorectal cancer risks.